2024 Ford F-150 Lightning Shipment Update

A stop on the 2024 Ford F-150 Lightning electric pickup truck shipments was reportedly ordered on February 9 for an undisclosed issue, and this halt remains in effect. According to Automotive News, while production has not halted, hundreds, if not thousands of these electric vehicles (EVs) have reportedly built up in Ford’s holding lots around Detroit. This accumulation occurs as the automaker works diligently on a fix for what has been identified as a headlight issue affecting Lightning trucks.

Moreover, production for both gas and electric F-150 models was temporarily suspended in late January due to a “supplier parts concern.” However, it remains unclear if this issue is connected to the current shipment delays. An East Coast Ford customer reported they were informed of an expected delay of up to eight weeks for their shipment, which had been assembled in December. This situation indicates that the delivery of approximately 100 trucks might not occur until mid-March.

Quality Control Measures for the 2024 F-150

Ford, along with its CEO Jim Farley, has emphasized the importance of quality control, particularly in light of the challenges the automaker has experienced with past vehicle launches. Consequently, the ongoing stop-sale may serve as a precautionary measure to ensure the reliability of the updated 2024 F-150 trucks. Reports indicate that the earlier hold on all refreshed 2024 model year F-150 trucks was implemented for quality checks. Meanwhile, the recent shipment hold specifically pertains to a connection issue with the Lightning EV headlights. There are concerns that a connector part may leak water, leading to short circuits that could cause the lights to flicker or shut off.

Three different Ford representatives have yet to respond fully to inquiries from MotorTrend after two days of attempts. Nevertheless, Emma Bergg, a Ford spokesperson, informed the Detroit Free Press: “We expect to ramp up shipments in the coming weeks as we complete thorough launch quality checks to ensure these new F-150s meet our high standards. Quality is a massive priority, so we’re not shipping vehicles to customers until the quality is right. We don’t want trucks out there that are not up to our high standards.” Further updates will be provided if more information from Ford becomes available.